Preserving Our Future: Why Farmland Preservation Matters in Butler County
Butler County’s rolling fields, family farms and rural landscapes are more than just scenic backdrops. They are the foundation of our local economy, our food system and our way of life. Yet, as development pressure increases and land values rise, farmers face growing challenges to keep their land in agriculture. That is why farmland preservation programs are so important — and why more local farms should consider taking advantage of them.
Farmland preservation allows farmers to permanently protect their land from future development by selling the development rights while keeping ownership and control of their property. In simple terms, farmers are paid to promise that their land will remain farmland forever. Homes, warehouses and shopping centers are taken off the table ensuring the land will continue producing food and supporting agriculture for generations.
For many Butler County farmers, this program provides much-needed financial stability. Farming is a high-risk business. Weather, market fluctuations, rising input costs and labor shortages all take their toll. A preservation easement offers a reliable financial return without forcing farmers to sell their land or take on more debt. That income can be used to modernize equipment, improve buildings, pay down loans or help with retirement planning.
For family farms, preservation can also ease generational transitions. Passing a farm from parents to children is often complicated by high land values and estate taxes. By removing development value, preserved farmland becomes more affordable for the next generation. This helps keep farms in families rather than forcing heirs to sell to developers.
Beyond individual farms, farmland preservation strengthens Butler County’s entire agricultural economy. Agriculture remains one of the county’s largest economic drivers, supporting feed suppliers, equipment dealers, veterinarians, processors and local markets. When farmland disappears, so do these jobs and businesses. Preserving land protects the entire agricultural supply chain.
Currently in Butler County, there are 80 farms that are preserved. Those 80 farms have preserved 8,148 acres.
There will continue to be more and more farms applying for farmland preservation in the county and there is always a waiting list for interested farmers. I personally know how important this program is to the local area. My family, the Thiele family, was the first in the county to enroll in the program back in 1997.
Local consumers benefit as well. Preserved farms mean continued access to fresh, locally grown food. From dairy and beef to corn, soybeans, produce and specialty crops, Butler County farms help feed our communities. In an era when food security is increasingly important, keeping farmland productive is a smart investment.
Preservation also saves taxpayers money. Development requires expensive infrastructure: roads, schools, sewer systems and emergency services. Numerous studies have shown that farmland costs far less in public services than residential or commercial development generates. Every acre preserved helps reduce long-term tax burdens on residents.
Environmental benefits are another major advantage. Working farms protect open space, recharge groundwater, reduce flooding and provide wildlife habitat. Well-managed farmland prevents erosion and improves water quality in our streams and rivers. Preserved land helps maintain the natural balance that benefits everyone, rural and urban alike.
Some farmers hesitate to enroll because they worry about losing control of their land. In reality, preservation programs are designed to protect farmers’ rights. Participants still own their land, decide what crops to grow and manage their operations. The main restriction is simply that the land must remain in agricultural use. It is not government ownership — it is a partnership to protect a shared resource.
Others believe they might need development options in the future. But once farmland is paved over, it is gone forever. Preserving land ensures that agriculture remains a viable option, not just for today’s farmers but for future generations who may want to return to the land. Since Gov. Josh Shapiro took office, Pennsylvania has invested nearly $147 million to preserve 499 farms and 41,628 acres across the state and counting!
Butler County has a proud farming heritage. From small family operations to larger commercial farms, agriculture shapes our culture and economy. Farmland preservation is one of the most effective tools we have to protect that heritage. If you are an interested farmer, contacting the Butler County Farmland Preservation office is definitely worth the phone call and the conversation.
By choosing preservation, farmers are saying that agriculture matters, that rural life is worth protecting and that future generations deserve the same opportunities we have today. In doing so, they are helping ensure that Butler County remains a place where farming thrives — not just survives — for decades to come.
William Thiele is a Butler County dairy farmer and director of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau District 15.
Bill Duncan is the Butler County Farmland Preservation Board vice chairman.
